Yasser Hassan Online Portfolio

About Me

Personal Information
My name is Yasser Hassan, single (and sad). I live in Egypt and I hold a B.Sc. in Electronics and Computer Engineering, graduated 1995, and a Master of Business Adminstration (MBA).

Background
I started with computers in 1986 in both programming and graphics (and playing games) using the low computing power available at that time on my dear Sinclair ZX Spectrum+ (with a mighty 48KB RAM and and a super fast 4.88MHz Z80 processor). I wrote a simple Assembly game in 1987 which did not see the light because of what we call in Egypt "Thanaweya Amaa" (high school graduation) which is the nightmare of most of the Egyptian families. I've always been a self-learner. Years later, programming and graphics turned from a hobby into a profession. In 1994, I started working in graphics and logo design. In 1995, I worked as a full-time C++ programmer in a software house and a part-time 3D animator in an advertising agency at the same time. By time, I focused professionally on software and kept graphics as a hobby or as an assisting skill for software projects. A couple of years ago as I started turning old and wise (hopefully), my focus started to shift more on business and management in general, and the business side of software in my work. I exposed myself to systems analysis and design, project management, and other areas that are less techincal.

Areas of Interest

Business and Management
Project Management
Software Architecture and Software Systems Analysis & Design
Software Development Methodologies
Business Development
Computer imaging, 3D computer graphics, graphical design, and visual effects
Stock Trading and Personal Investment

My Favorite Quotes

"Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."

Oliver Wendell Holmes

"So little time, so much to know."

Jeremy Hilary Boob, Ph.D / Nowhere Man from Yellow Submarine (the movie)

"No Fate But What We Make."

From the movie "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines"

Work
I work in Egypt as a software consultant and contractor where I provide services in the area of software solutions consultancy and development. I cover both the business and technical aspects of software systems development. The main areas I work in are e-business solutions, e-commerce, e-learning, and online services. Practically, I get heavily involved in all aspect of the project including analysis, design, programming, and graphics design, either by supervision, research, or implementation.

Typically, I work in developing database-driven web solutions and Windows applications on the classic Windows platform as well as the .NET Framework, in addition to building web and Windows applications based on Microsoft servers like MS SharePoint Portal Server and MS Content Management Server. Technically, I work in ASP, ASP.NET, PHP, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Visual C++, Visual Basic, database design and implementation, XML, Macromedia Flash, and other technologies. I do not work in graphics design, but it's a great plus in my work to have this skill to be able to deal with the graphics designers because graphics is a main part of the web development field. I have a lot of references out there on the Internet.

The short of things, I am more of a generalist and I usually do not limit myself to one area of work. With a background in different areas, I prefer to work on a broad scope mixing technology, art, business, management, and fun. Also I'm currently getting more into business and management in the software/IT industry.

Update:

Currently my main focus and interest is business in the broader scope and I do not get involved in the programming and development details.

My home studio (there's a wire jungle in the back)

Technical Skills
The following list contains some of my programming, graphics, and managerial and documentation skills for desktop and web solutions development:

Development

Visual C++
Visual Basic / Visual Basic Script
ASP Classic / ASP.NET
PHP
Cold Fusion
Microsoft SQL Server / MySQL
JavaScript
COM
XML/XSL
Macromedia Flash, Flash ActionScript
HTML
Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server (setup, confirugation, and system integration using SDK)
Microsoft Content Management Server
vtiger CRM (development)

System Analysis & Design / Project Management

UML
Microsoft Project / Project Server
ABT Project Workbench

Graphics/Audio/Multimedia

Autodesk 3ds max
Adobe Photoshop / Image Ready / GIMP (and similar packages)
Adobe Flash, SWISH, discreet plasma, and other Flash-related packages
Corel Draw / Inkscape (and similar packages)
Adobe Premiere
Sonic Foundary Sound Forge
Font Creations Applications

Managerial, Documentation, and Supporting Tools

OpenOffice.org
Microsoft Office
Miscrosoft Visio
MediaWiki

In addition to other tools and technologies.

My Web Presence History
This is my 3rd personal web site in more than 6 years. I launched my first site "Project: Man Kind" on May 3, 1998 and was hosted by Geocities and its main theme was about 3D artwork based on some ideas about the human behaviour.

After more than a year, I decided to change my site. I kept the sections and structure, but changed the spirit and concept of the site. The new title was "beyound creations" and the site was mainly about my digital imaging artwork. I quoted the following paragraph from my old site:

"Why beyond?
The name "beyond" referes to what's beyond the limits of our world, dreams, and imagination, and beyond any limits. Worlds that are only limited by the limits of our imagination, and even beyond."

"beyond creations" lasted for 2 years then I decided to move to my third web site which you are in now. You can view some of the splash images I used for that site here.